Thankfully we live in a society where we know it is not right to be prejudiced and bias of others based on race, religion, sexual preference and gender. In a world where kids are commiting suicide based on Bullying, gays/lesbians fearful to show their true sexual orientation and people of color still feeling the stings of racism….the lone prejudice that seems to be okay is making fun of people based on their weight.
On the Late Night Talk-Shows, in Magazines and in Movies, the “Fat Guy/Girl” are always the butt of jokes. And nothing is ever done to quash the pain that is must cause the person who is the target of such attacks.
On Monday Night, Governor Chris Christie, the “Gov” of my great State of New Jersey, was on The David Letterman Show. I stopped watching Letterman a long time ago when his humor was more “grumpy” and targeted toward specific people and groups that I felt were underserved. And as often as Governor Christie was the punchline in his weekly “fat jokes”, this man of great honor, decided to show up and be a guest on the show; much to Letterman’s surprise.
This is not going to be a political post and not one where I pledge where my Political Affiliation lie. But I thought it took courage and humor on his part to partake in a show where he has been blasted on numerous occasions about his weight.
He took it in stride; taking out a donut in the middle of the interview to show he understood the joke and was okay with it. But was he really? The man knows he is overweight and I’m sure it is a struggle for him to lose weight based on the type of job he has. Does he need to be reminded daily and be asked questions on a late-night talk show that he is overweight? Doesn’t Letterman have better questions and topics to ask?
Granted, he did steer the interview towards the recovery from Hurricane Sandy and whether he will run for President in 2016, but why was it okay to get into personal detail about this topic? Would it have been okay for Christie to ask him questions about his dalliances with his female workers and cheating on his wife? No, it wouldn’t have and those lines of questioning would have made me just as uncomfortable as the questions Governor Christie was asked about his weight.
And then last night on the NBC Evening News with Brian Williams this topic actually made the newscast. Really? Don’t people already know and understand that he is overweight? Do they have to broadcast it as part of their newscast?
I hope soon people will come to the realization that these words are hurtful and shouldn’t be tolerated. And realize this type of persecution is just as hurtful as making jokes and judging people based on race, religion, sexual orientation, gender and all the other biases that are hurtful and shouldn’t be part of our thinking as a society and culture.
I completely agree. I blame the media and the public for this tolerance toward making fun of overweight people. I used to be a plus-sized lady, and anyone making fun of my weight would’ve gotten an earful, but, thankfully, I’m not in the public eye.
Until people like Gov. Christie start saying that it’s NOT okay to make fun of such a personal issue, then we’re not going to see anything change. Unfortunately, Gov. Christie has been trained to take these comments in stride for fear of losing votes if he appears to be “uptight” for requesting that Letterman and every other interviewer lay off the fat jokes. Too many people would be outraged if he said anything because it’s not like he’s a slim and trim individual. However, I’m sure your comments will make people think twice, so THANK YOU for pointing out the bias that America tolerates, and if there were so many women wearing a size 2 splashed across magazines and in the movies (and thin men as well), then we wouldn’t be having this discussion. But, anyway…THANKS for a thought-provoking post!
I’m glad you enjoyed it and 100% agree with your sentiments. I just don’t get why people don’t stand up to such bias against over-weight men and woman. And good for you for losing the weight. Takes such hard-work and dedication to do that. And I agree that Gov. Christie really can’t say much about it in fear of losing votes. Just hope people realize that words hurt and they can curb their own behavior by not participating in such hateful rhetoric.
Thanks for your words and always love when you stop over at my blog. Your comments are always so appreciated my friend!
Yes it is sad. It is also a shame that we can’t talk about weight. The fact is being morbidly obese is not healthy and more than being underweight. We shouldn’t be mean and laugh and make fun. We should make health a priority.
You are exactly right. What does ridiculing accomplish? There has to be a way of having a healthy discussion about changing habits and not ridiculing the ones who have weight issues. Will probably give them more incentive to lose too.
Too many people don’t see that making jokes of people who are overweight is hurtful and can lead to things like anorexia and bulimia. Yes, he made a joke at himself, but I think that would have been an attempt to shut Letterman up. He goes too far sometimes, and because HE does it, other people see it as alright and they do it.
There was an interview over here with Spike Milligan who had spent some time in an asylum and Richard Madeley who had been arrested for shoplifting. On air, in a live interview, Spike said “I’ll make you a deal, you don’t talk to me about the loonie bin and I won’t talk to you about Tesco’s and wine” Would be good if more of these stars did things like that. Incidentally, Spike Milligan’s headstone reads “See, I told you I was ill”
Such valid points you make. And good for Spike Milligan to speak up for himself. All those comments are hurtful and the media and talk show hosts think it is alright; like they don’t have things they wouldn’t like talked and joked about? Hopefully will realize this and stop making these attacks at the expense of others!
Unfortunately it will never stop. All the while there are … sorry … twats and pricks there will be people causing others to commit suicide through bullying.
You are so right!!
I don’t find humor in 90% of what the media puts out whether its a fat joke, Brittney spears joke, homeless person joke, etc.. The media seems to know no boundaries on sensibilities.. It’s all about ratings and marketing.. terrible..
Isn’t it terrible? I don’t know why they feel the need to tear everyone and everything down. We as a world would be a much better place if people didn’t resort to such mudslinging!! They need people like us to rule the world!!
I agree too… fortunately, the company I work for takes this kind of thing quite seriously… we don’t joke about weight… HR are always respectful about each other and will investigate anything that causes offence
Fat people deserve it because they eat too much. If they ate less and exercised more, they wouldn’t be fat. They are just lazy and it’s their own fault.
I think that’s how a lot of people think. If it was that simple there would be no fat people! I know, I was a fat person and tried everything, and gave up hope until HCG. But, it will still be a life long battle for me. Until you walk in someone else’s shoes you don’t know what they deal with, or how the feel, or how hurtful your words can be.
I never watched much TV, and here in Panama I watch none. I’m not missing anything.
Thank you for an excellent post.
Good for you for losing the weight, but I can’t imagine the struggle it must be. That is why I don’t understand people’s mentality when they think it is okay to judge and riducule people over their weight. It is so hurtful and unneccesary.
Thank you for you kind words and glad you enjoyed the post.